Polyvinyl Alcohol Composites Research Articles

Amine functionalised graphene embedded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and PVA-chitosan hydrogel composites

A novel amine-functionalized graphene oxide (AFG) doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (PVA-Ch) composite film was developed using an eco-synthesis approach, eliminating the need for halogenated compounds. The resulting AFG-doped PVA/Chitosan (PVA-Ch/AFG) polymer film exhibited promising properties for controlled delivery and biosensing applications. The investigation included assessing the swelling behaviour, dissolution percent, gel fraction, and mechanical properties of the polymer film. The swelling characteristics of PVA-Ch and PVA-Ch/AFG were found to be pH and temperature-dependent across various pH ranges (3, 5, 7, and 9). Interestingly, PVA-Ch/AFG demonstrated a stable swelling pattern at pH 5 and 7, unaffected by changes in chitosan concentration, indicating enhanced stability compared to PVA-Ch. The study also explored the use of PVA-Ch/AFG in a drug delivery system, revealing controlled release of the model antibiotic amphicillin, emphasizing its potential in medical applications. Furthermore, the eco-friendly synthesis route underscored the safety of PVA-Ch/AFG for use in food and medical applications. Biocompatibility assessments, including biodegradability studies and cytotoxicity tests on fibroblasts (3T3 cells), confirmed the safety profile of PVA-Ch/AFG. In conclusion, the study suggests that PVA-Ch/AFG holds promise for bio-sensing applications, offering a flexible and colorimetric platform capable of encapsulating, adsorbing, and desorbing biomolecules such as drugs and sensing compounds.

Melt-processable polyvinyl alcohol/lignin composites with improved strength via synergistic plasticization of lignin

The characteristics of multi-hydroxyl structure and strong hydrogen bonding in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) make its melting point close to its decomposition temperature, causing melt-processing difficulty. In this work, following the plasticization of small-molecule primary plasticizer acetamide, lignin was demonstrated as a green secondary plasticizer in realizing the melt processing and simultaneous reinforcement of PVA. During the plasticization process, lignin was able to combine with the hydroxyl groups of PVA, so as to destroy the hydrogen bonds and regularity of the PVA chains. The synergistic plasticization effect of lignin dramatically reduced the melting point of PVA from 185 °C to 151 °C. The thermal processing window of PVA composites was expanded from 50 °C to roughly 80 °C after introducing lignin. In contrast to acetamide, the addition of lignin significantly increased the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the composites to 71 MPa and 1.34 GPa, respectively. Meanwhile, lignin helped to hinder the migration of acetamide via hydrogen bonds. With the addition of lignin, the composites also displayed enhanced hydrophobicity and excellent UV shielding performance. The strategy of synergistic plasticization of lignin provides a feasible basis for the practical application of lignin in melt-processable PVA materials with good comprehensive properties.

Biocompatible neem gum-modified polyvinyl alcohol composite as dielectric material for flexible energy devices

In our pursuit of a flexible energy storage solution, we have developed biocompatible (bc)-NG/PVA composite polymers by combining neem tree gum (NG) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This innovative bio-inspired approach harnesses NG's unique properties for both the bio-electrolyte and bio-electrode components. The resulting bc-NG/PVA composites exhibit superior dielectric strength and versatility, surpassing traditional inorganic ceramic dielectrics in advanced electronics and pulsed power systems. Our study investigates the dielectric characteristics, conductivities, electric modulus, and impedance parameters of Pure PVA and NG-doped PVA composites. Adding 5 % NG to PVA significantly boosts its conductivity from 10−8 S cm−1 to 10−4 S cm−1, while the dielectric constant of PVA/5 % NG composite jumps to 104.5 compared to pure PVA. These improvements position the composite films of 5 % NG added PVA as promising materials for diverse applications. The heightened performance of these NG-blended PVA composite materials underscores their potential as a valuable resource for flexible energy storage solutions.

Denitrification enhanced by composite carbon sources in AAO-biofilter: Efficiency and metagenomics research

Nitrogen removal from domestic sewage is usually limited by insufficient carbon source and electron donor. An economical solid carbon source was developed by composition of polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, and corncob, which was utilized as external carbon source in the anaerobic anoxic oxic (AAO)-biofilter for the treatment of low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio domestic sewage, and the nitrogen removal was remarkably improved from 63.2% to 96.5%. Furthermore, the effluent chemical oxygen demand maintained at 35 mg/L or even lower, and the total nitrogen was reduced to less than 2 mg/L. Metagenomic analysis demonstrated that the microbial communities responsible for potential denitrification and organic matter degradation in both AAO and the biofilter reactors were mainly composed of Proteobacteria and Bacteroides, respectively. The solid carbon source addition resulted in relatively high abundance of functional enzymes responsible for NO3−-N to NO2−-N conversion in both AAO and the biofilter reactors, thus enabled stable reaction. The carbon source addition during glycolysis primarily led to the increase of genes associated with the metabolic conversion of fructose 1.6P2 to glycerol-3P The reactor maintained high abundance of genes related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and then guaranteed efficient carbon metabolism. The results indicate that the composite carbon source is feasible for denitrification enhancement of AAO-biofilter, which contribute to the theoretical foundation for practical nitrogen removal application.

Enhanced sensitivity of MoS2:Er-based flexible near-infrared photodetectors via tellurium-induced interfacial charge transfer

The persistent photoconductive behavior caused by traps in the active materials usually weakens the sensitivity and stability of photodetectors. Herein, tellurium (Te) microwire and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites were developed as functional flexible substrates to improve the near-infrared (NIR) photoresponse performance of MoS2:Er-based devices with the metal–semiconductor–metal structure. The flexible photodetector exhibits a rise/fall time of ∼2.9–3.1 ms, a responsivity of ∼0.28 mA W−1, and a detectivity of ∼1.41 × 1010 Jones under 808 nm irradiation. The enhanced mechanism can be attributed to the charge transfer between Te microwires and MoS2:Er films, which suppresses the dark current of the device and optimizes the generation process of electron–hole pairs under light illumination. Meanwhile, the flexibility of the device allows it to be employed in human heart rate monitoring. This work offers a simple and essential strategy for constructing integrated flexible NIR photodetectors with high performance.

Conception of pH-sensitive calcium alginate/poly vinyl alcohol hydrogel beads for controlled oral curcumin delivery systems. Antibacterial and antioxidant properties

Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has gained widespread attention for its potential therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects. However, its poor aqueous solubility, instability and limited bioavailability have hindered its clinical applications.New beads formulations based on sodium alginate biopolymer (SA) and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) were successfully prepared and evaluated as a potential drug vehicle for extended release of curcumin (Cur). Pristine and curcumin loaded calcium alginate/poly vinyl alcohol beads (CA/PVA and CA/PVA/Cur) at different compositions of SA and PVA were prepared by an ionotropic gelation method of SA followed by two freeze-thawing (FT) cycles for further crosslinking of PVA. Characterization techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to confirm the successful microencapsulation of curcumin within the CA/PVA microcapsules. Furthermore, the swelling of pristine beads, pH-sensitive properties and in vitro release studies of curcumin loaded beads were investigated at 37 °C in simulated gastric fluid (SGF), simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) and simulated colonic fluid (SCF). The effect of the polymer blend ratio, the encapsulation efficiency (EE %) of curcumin, the loading capacity (LC μg/mg), the sphericity factor (SF), the antioxidant activity of the elaborated beads and their antimicrobial properties against bacteria and fungi were just as much evaluated.The obtained results indicate that the swelling and the behavior of the developed beads were influenced by the pH of the test medium and the PVA content. The introduction of PVA into the SA matrix greatly enhanced the physicochemical properties, the encapsulation efficiency and the loading capacity of the elaborated microparticles. Results also suggested that the antioxidant activity of the loaded beads (CA/PVA/Cur) showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity while the bacterial and fungal strains proved sensitive to the different formulations used in the assay. Moreover, the important drug encapsulation efficiency and the sustainable drug release of these materials make them promising for the development of new drug carrier systems for colon targeting.

Carbon nanotube composites fabricated through filament winding process for battery preheating application

AbstractCarbon nanotube (CNT) polymer composites have broad application prospects in thermal management as electrothermal heaters. Nevertheless, challenge remains in achieving high electrical conductivity for the composites due to the contradiction between CNTs and insulated polymers. To address this issue, herein, innovative use of interface strategy approach by constructing synergistic nanomaterial networks on carboxyl CNTs yarn winding composites for improving the interfacial adhesion and electrical performance. In the work, carboxyl CNTs yarn/CNTs‐graphene oxide (GO) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites (C‐CY‐HP‐C) were proposed and manufactured via filament winding process. The as‐constructed C‐CY‐HP‐C demonstrated a remarkable interfacial shear strength of 2057.16 N mm−1, which was 53.59% higher than that of control CNTs yarn/PVA winding composites. In addition, the C‐CY‐HP‐C achieved an attractive electrical conductivity of 346.39 S cm−1 owing to the electronic transmission channels were formed. Notably, the superior electrical conductivity facilitated a rapid‐response of electrothermal performance for the C‐CY‐HP‐C. It reached a steady‐state temperature of 229.9°C within 10 s when the voltage was 1.2 V. Concurrently, it exhibited an impressive heating rate of 10.8°C min−1 at an ambient temperature of −20°C as the battery surface heater. These findings shed light on the development of technique for battery preheating system based on CNTs yarn/polymer composites.

Active carboxymethyl cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol biodegradable packaging film for shelf‐life enhancement: Effects of makrut lime essential oil on Cavendish bananas ripening and fungal spoilage

AbstractMakrut lime essential oil (MLO) was investigated for ripening deceleration and suppression of fungal spoilage of Cavendish bananas stored at 30.0–37.6°C and 40%–60% relative humidity. The sorbitol‐plasticized composite of carboxymethyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol (CMC/PVA; 3:2) was used to distribute MLO droplets (0.5%–3.0%) as it exhibited the best overall tensile properties (15.36 ± 0.90 MPa, 14.9% ± 1.19, and 486.93 ± 81.67 MPa for strength, strain, and Young's modulus, respectively). After 7 days of storage of film‐wrapped Stage‐A1 bananas, growths of the molds on cutting wounds were dramatically suppressed. The 1.0% MLO/CMC/PVA film effectively controlled the spoilages of wounds and stalks. Ripening also occurred at slower pace (by about 2 days; 70.49% weight loss vs. that of the control) when Stage‐B3 bananas were encased in the 1.0% MLO plastic sleeve. However, the MLO coatings negatively affected the appearances and colors and promoted the senescence of the coated bananas at higher MLO concentrations. Compared to the CMC/PVA film, strengths and maximum strains of the 0.5% and 1.0% MLO films were significantly higher. The strength, strain, and modulus of the 1.0% MLO film were 19.50 ± 2.52 MPa, 24.75% ± 3.84, and 562.31 ± 49.71 MPa, respectively. Water vapor transmission rate of the 1.0‐MLO film was also the smallest one (2232 ± 50.91 g/m2·day).Highlights The 1.0% MLO/CMC/PVA film exhibited improved tensile properties. The water vapor transmission rate of the film was the lowest. The film effectively controlled the spoilages of wounds and stalks. Bananas encased in sleeves made from the film ripened at slower pace.

Determination of Lorenz number of composite films based on copper chloride(II) in polyvinyl alcohol matrix

The electrical and thermal conductivities as well as Lorenz number of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites have been investigated at different concentrations of the copper chloride II (0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 12 wt-%). The powder of copper chloride II (CuCl2) was casted with the PVA polymer1. The electrical conductivity was measured by using the impedance technique, and it was studied as functions of the CuCl2 concentrations, applied frequency range of 100–7000 kHz, and temperature range of 30–100 °C. The activation energy ( Ea) was also determined for all the studied samples at applied frequency of 1000 kHz. It was found that the Ea decreased with increasing the CuCl2 concentration. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of the samples was studied as functions of the CuCl2 concentration and temperature. It was found that the thermal conductivity increased with increasing the CuCl2 concentrations and temperature. Using the measured values of the thermal and electrical conductivities of the studied samples, the relationship between the Lorenz number ( L) of the PVA and CuCl2 concentrations with constant temperature was also studied based on the Wiedemann–Franz law. The results showed that the L number increased with CuCl2 concentrations increase at constant temperature.

Coaxially printed biomimetic BSPC with high strength and toughness

The trade-off between strength and toughness in traditional silicate-based materials presents a notable challenge in engineering infrastructure. The limited range of suitable components means that chemical modification does not fully address inherent brittleness. This study introduces a novel coaxial 3D printing method to create tooth enamel biomimetic composites using stiff silicate and flexible polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as strengthening and toughening agents, respectively. Unlike standard silicate composites, this method produces an interpenetrated microstructure in which silicate and PVA maintain geometric continuity. This biomimetic structure, regulated internal stress, and crack propagation inhibition contribute to the silicate–PVA composites considerably enhanced mechanical properties, including flexural strength (10.3 MPa), ductility (4.68 %), and fracture energy (1.5±0.9×104N/m), beyond the inherent brittleness of pure silicate blocks. In situ characterization and multiscale simulation of stress distribution and deformation behavior further validated multiple toughening mechanisms. These mechanisms include silicate bridge fracture, interface detachment, and PVA rupture, along with complex cracking patterns. The significantly strengthened and toughened biomimetic silicate–PVA composite suggests promising potential for use as a structural material in engineering resilient structures.

Pulse Laser Generation at 2.0 µm Region based on Polyvinyl Alcohol Doped Graphene Nanoplatelets Saturable Absorber

A passive Q-switcher based on graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) doped with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is proposed for pulse laser generation at 2.0 µm region. An optimized solution casting approach is adopted in the customized preparation of a 12.04 wt.% weight ratio of GnP to PVA. The fabricated saturable absorber (SA) is characterized using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), which confirmed the embedment of GnP in PVA composite. A 5 m long thulium doped fiber (TDF) is used as a gain medium in the laser cavity measurement. Our characterization demonstrates dual-wavelength Q-switched pulse generation at 1904.0 nm and 1904.9 nm for input power ranging from 644 mW to 698 mW, respectively. The repetition rate is tunable from 69 kHz to 98 kHz with the shortest pulse width of 1.4 µs. The calculated output peak power, pulse energy and signal-to-noise ratio are recorded at 143 mW, 0.21 µJ and 35 dB, respectively. Notably, the present work is the first-ever work of a Q-switcher based on GnP doped with PVA host at 2.0 µm region.

Preparation of cross-linked PANI/PVA conductive hydrogels for electrochemical energy storage and sensing applications

The tunability of flexible electro-conductive polymer hydrogel by retaining the gel-ness and swelling nature with significant electrical conductivity remains a challenging problem. Conductive hydrogel (CH) should exhibit gel-like behavior with an appreciable conductivity. The combined property of gel and conductivity depends on the relative proportion of the constituent components. Herein, we present the detailed investigation on the effect of composition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyaniline (PANI) on the structure and properties of PANI/PVA conducting hydrogels. We have prepared a series of hydrogel by varying the ratio of PANI and PVA. We have observed that the property of the PANI/PVA hydrogel significantly depends on the PANI content in the hydrogel. The detailed analysis based on XRD reveals that the peak intensity at 2θ = 19.3° has been decreased and the bandwidth has been increased with increasing PANI content, implying a decrease in the degree of crystallinity and enhancing amorphous nature. The interaction between PANI and PVA is also evident from the change in FTIR spectra of OH group. Detailed morphological analysis shows the formation of well-interpenetrated structure of PANI and PVA. Swelling study and current-voltage measurement in DI water and artificial tear fluid show composition dependent gel and conducting behavior, respectively. Tuning the composition of PVA and PANI results the blend to possess adequate “gel” with improved flexibility and “conducting” nature, required for a conducting hydrogel (CH). We have shown the application of hydrogel as an electrode material for supercapacitor with significant cyclic stability (∼95 % after 1000 cycles). We have also presented the viability of CH as an enzymatic glucose biosensor, with a significant LOD (∼0.001 μM).

Low-cost and eco-friendly PVA/carrageenan membrane to efficiently remove cationic dyes from water: Isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamics, and regeneration study

Methylene blue (MB), a common dye in the textile industry, has a multitude of detrimental consequences on humans and the environment. Accordingly, it is necessary to remove dyes from water to guarantee our health and sustainable ecosystem. In this study, we developed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based hydrogel adsorbents with high adsorption capacity by adding three types of carrageenan (kappa, iota, and lambda) to remove MB from water. Thanks to the functional groups, the PVA/carrageenan membranes dramatically increased the removal efficiency (kappa, 98.8%; iota, 97.0%; lambda, 95.4%) compared to the pure PVA membrane (6.3%). Among the three types of PVA/carrageenan membranes, the PVA/kappa-carrageenan membrane exhibited the best adsorption capacity of 147.8 mg/g. This result implies that steric hindrance was considerably significant, given that kappa carrageenan has only one sulfate group in the repeating unit, whereas iota and lambda carrageenan composite PVA membranes possess two and three sulfate groups. Apart from the maximum adsorption capacity, this study addressed a variety of characteristics of PVA/carrageenan membranes such as the effects of initial MB concentration, kappa carrageenan weight percentage, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and temperature on the adsorption performance. In addition, the kinetic and thermodynamic studies were also carried out. Lastly, the reusability of the PVA/carrageenan membrane was verified by the 98% removal efficiency maintained after five adsorption-desorption cycles.

Efficient removal of ethidium bromide from aqueous solutions using chromatin-loaded chitosan polyvinyl alcohol composites.

In this work, a novel chromatin-loaded chitosan polyvinyl alcohol composite was developed as a simple, efficient and environmentally friendly adsorbent for the efficient removal of ethidium bromide (EtBr). SEM images showed that the composites were characterized by dense porous and uniformly distributed morphology. The BET analysis showed the presence of mesopores and macropores in the composites. FTIR and XRD results showed that the chromatin was uniformly dispersed in the chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol carrier through hydrogen bonding. The fluorescence microscopy images showed the change of fluorescence effect before and after the adsorption of the material, which indicated that the chromatin was uniformly distributed in the composites and had a good adsorption effect. The optimal experimental conditions were T = 30℃, t = 120min, pH = 7.4, m = 0.2g when the composite with only 5% chromatin content had the ability to adsorb EtBr efficiently (minimum concentration 2mg·L-1: adsorption rate 99%; maximum concentration 20mg·L-1: adsorption rate 90%).The adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics showed that the EtBr adsorption kinetics of the composite conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (0.995 < R2 < 0.999) and the Freundlich isothermal model, and was a spontaneous process (ΔH < 0). This study on the immobilization of chromatin will provide a new way and reference for the application of chromatin in the treatment of EtBr pollutants.

Evaluating the Volume Ratio Effect on Absorption Time of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Sodium Alginate Based Fiber Membranes as a Wound Dressing

This research was observed absorption of the membrane PVA/SA fiber as wound dressing. The electrospinning method is used to make fiber membranes. This method with a volume ratio composition of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) - sodium alginate (SA) (PVA/ SA) of 9 :1 (v/v), 8:2 (v/v), and 7:3 (v/v). The PVA/SA membrane was characterized with absorption characterization-water absorption test, morphology and fiber diameter. Absorption characterization-water absorption test results that the fastest absorption time occurred on the PVA/SA fiber membrane with a ratio of 7:3 (v/v). From the SEM results, it is known that the morphology of the PVA/SA membrane shows a fiber size with a uniform diameter. The fiber diameter decreases as it increases SA volume fraction. Fibers with a small diameter will have a large surface area and absorb liquid more quickly. Keywords: electrospinning, wound dressing, absorption characterization-water absorption test, size fiber

Differential Thermal Analysis of Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanocomposite with Rice Husk Ash as a Filler

Nanoparticles of polyvinyl alcohol with rice husk ash as a filler for strong polymer material candidates have been prepared through the sol-gel method. Rice husk ash is a waste product obtained from the combustion of rice husks at a controlled temperature and possesses high pozzolanic properties due to its silica content. Ball milling and co-precipitation methods were employed on the rice husk ash to create nanoparticle materials. To produce nanocomposite membranes, a polyvinyl alcohol solution was utilized as a solvent through the sol-gel method. The nanocomposite samples of rice husk ash were analyzed thermally to determine the material’s response to temperature. Various nanocomposite compositions of polyvinyl alcohol and rice husk ash were used, including 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%. Based on the thermal analysis, it is evident that there were changes in enthalpy (H) and mass characteristics in all five samples.

A thin film resistive humidity sensor based on polymer and carbon black nanoparticle composites

This paper proposes a resistive humidity sensor that uses a carbon-black and polyvinyl alcohol composites thin film, fabricated with a unique film coating method for thinner thickness and higher sensitivity. Improving the sensitivity of sensing films is still of great importance in the research field of gas sensors. The humidity sensor devices with thin composite film and microelectrode structure are fabricated on the glass substrate for a low cost and a simple fabrication process. The sensor gives a rapid response for humidity levels from 10.9% relative humidity (RH) to 73.7% RH, and the response time is about 5.77 s. Experimental results reveal that the sensor has good sensitivity, reproducibility, fast reaction time, and wide range. In addition to humidity, the sensor also responds well to gases such as ethanol. The proposed gas sensor in this paper can be applied to the other combinations of polymers and nanoparticles to form new gas sensors, which have the potential to be used as a gas sensor array for detecting the composition of complex gases such as volatile organic components.

Fabricating of poly(vinyl alcohol)/halloysite nanotubes/gelatin composite sponges with enhanced mechanical properties and rapid water absorption speed

AbstractIn the biomedical field, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge has been widely used. In particular, it is considered a potential implant material for repairing soft tissues. However, its insufficient water absorption and mechanical properties limit its application. In this work, a novel PVA/halloysite nanotubes (HNTs)/gelatin ternary composite sponge was prepared by water solution mixing and casting techniques. HNTs and gelatin/PVA solution were mixed at different weight ratios. The structure of the ternary composite sponges was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy. The physical properties of the ternary composite sponges were characterized. The maximum water absorption reached 1783.5% with a rapid water absorption speed at a weight ratio of HNTs/gelatin of 1:8. Owing to its interconnected macroporous structure and good interfacial interaction, its highest compression strength and tensile strength reached 8.22, 1.51 MPa, respectively. In addition, its thermal stability was enhanced as well, which demonstrated that the prepared composite sponge had better performance than the pure PVA sponge by constructing a ternary system. Therefore, the results suggest that the PVA/HNTs/gelatin ternary composite sponge shows a wider application value as a potential material for repairing soft tissue.Highlights A composite PVA sponge with promising applications in tissue engineering. Simple preparation method, water solution mixing and casting techniques. Pioneering a PVA/HNTs/gelatin ternary system sponge. Improved water absorption ability and mechanical properties.

Phosphonitrile-modified biomass multi-crosslinking strategy: Construction of flame retardant, smoke suppressive and antibacterial polyvinyl alcohol composites

To solve the problems of flammability, large smoke production and easy breeding of bacteria, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was modified by a multi-crosslinking structure fabricated by hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene derivative (SHCP) and chitosan (CS) followed by copper ions chelation. In terms of flame retardancy, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) of the modified PVA composites decreased by 52.38% and 24.22%, while the LOI value and char-forming ability were greatly improved. The total smoke production (TSP) of the treated sample decreased by 91.00%. Furthermore, the inhibition rate of modified PVA composites against E. coli and S. aureus was as high as 99.67% and 92.45%. The current work provided a sustainable and versatile advanced strategy for the design of environmentally friendly, and cost-effective flame retardant, smoke suppression and antibacterial PVA composites, which was expected to be applied in the packaging field.

Development of multifunctional bioactive food packaging based on silver nanoparticles/grape fruit peel extract reinforced PVA composites

Active food packaging based on bio-wastes has gained considerable attention these days due to their ecofriendly and biodegradable behavior. In this study, multifunctional bio-composite films with remarkable anti-oxidant and anti-microbial attributes were synthesized by incorporating biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and grape fruit peel extract (GFPE) into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. Synthesized films were characterized in terms of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA). Antioxidant activity of AgNPs-GFPE/PVA films was determined by %DPPH scavenging ability and Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay while antimicrobial activity was measured by agar diffusion method. XRD analysis revealed the semi-crystalline behavior of synthesized composites with characteristics peak at 38° whereas SEM micrographs confirmed the homogeneous dispersion of reinforcement and porous rough surface structure of AgNPs-GFPE/PVA nano-composites. AgNPs-GFPE/PVA nanocomposite exhibited glass transition temperature (Tg) at ∼116 °C and Tm ∼191 °C along with the storage modulus of 685 MPa, revealing significantly enhanced thermal and mechanical stability of composites compared to pure PVA films. The composite films exhibited remarkable antioxidant potential i.e DPPH scavenging activity ∼50 % and reducing power ∼ 0.58. The AgNPs-GFPE/PVA nano-composite films exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activity in response to food borne pathogens. The results designated that the synthesized composite films have prodigious potential of being cheap, eco-friendlier substitute to conventional materials for application in food packaging, which certify the safety and economical life span of packed food.